All Your Answers to Pest Inspection Questions When Buying a Home

You don’t want to move into a Warner Robins home and find that you are sharing the house with uninvited guests like insects or rodents. If the previous owner wasn’t diligent, they may have passed a pest problem onto you. Learn how to recognize the signs of annoying pests and get rid of them before you move in.

Georgia Laws for Pest Inspections

There are no laws in Georgia that require a seller to do a pest inspection prior to listing the house. The most likely pest damage done to a house in Georgia will be by termites. One of your most important tasks is to have a pest inspection completed before buying the house.

A termite clearance letter indicates that a thorough termite inspection was done by a licensed pest inspector and no evidence of active termites was found. Ideally, you can negotiate with the seller to have the inspection done and provide you the letter. If they won’t do this, you may have to schedule an inspection to make sure termites haven’t damaged the house structurally before you buy it.

The Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection in Georgia states that anyone using pesticides must be trained and licensed. The chemicals they use must be licensed, as well. Ask to see the license of any inspector you use.

Getting a Pest Inspection

Most people will put a conditional offer on the house they want, pending the results of a pest inspection. Your job will be to find and schedule a licensed inspector to come to the house. In some cases your agent may do this for you.

If you find pest damage, you are in the position to cancel your offer, negotiate with the seller to have them fix the problem or reduce your offer sufficiently to cover what you will spend to correct the problem.
Beware of that last option. To know what the repairs will cost, you will have to have a contractor come out and make an estimate. You’ll then have to trust that the estimate is accurate. For instance, should the contractor start working and find more significant damage than the pest inspector discovered, you might be out thousands more than you expected.

According to a review of residential pest inspection reports, you need to look at the inspector’s report for the following:

• No problems were found
• One or more pest problems were found with detailed descriptions of the damage
• Recommendations for any repairs of the damage
• Indications that this has occurred in the past but is not a problem now
• Description of any conditions in the house that make it vulnerable to future pest problems

Infestation Red Flags to Look Out For

When you are walking through the house, there are things that you can look for that indicate a pest problem. Point these out to your agent and the pest inspector so they won’t get overlooked. According to this article on spring cleaning and pest infestation signs, there are many ways to spot a pest problem.

• Look for ant trails in the kitchen. Argentine ants are small, dark ants that don’t do any real damage. But they can exist in colonies of thousands. They are attracted to sweets and could have trails to soda or juice spills. The appearance of a lot of these ants could hint of a cleaning issue.
• Georgian pecan trees are hosts to aphids. Asian ladybugs were brought over to control the aphids. In winter, though, the ladybugs may come into the house for the warmth and collect on walls and ceilings.
• Silverfish and firebrats can be found in dark, moist places in the house. They only do damage when the numbers are large, but should be controlled if there are any signs of them.
• Any signs of gnawed woodwork or insulation material that has been pulled out of the wall could be mice or rats. Small rodent droppings or urine stains in cabinets and cupboards are signs. If you find other pieces of shredded paper or fabric as you walk through the house, rodents could be present and nesting somewhere.
• Check all wood surfaces for small holes in unusual places, piles of sawdust or powder from the wood, blisters or wavy surfaces. This could be the sign of wood-damaging pests like termites or carpenter ants. Tap on exposed wood beams and panels. If a solid piece of wood sounds hollow, or your tapping caves in the surface to expose the inside of the beam, the house could be seriously infested with termites or ants.

All Your Answers to Pest Inspection Questions When Buying a Home

Buyer Tips: Obtaining A Home Loan With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit due to bankruptcy or foreclosure or if you have been previously turned down for a loan, you may think obtaining a Warner Robins home loan will be impossible. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, with a little research and hard work, you can highlight the “compensating factors” that will help lenders see that you are less of a risk than they might think. Here’s a look at seven compensating factors that you might want to submit with your home loan application in order to increase your chances of being approved for a loan.

Highlight Your Other Assets

If you do not have a large amount of money saved up for a down payment, you can still show the lender that you have substantial financial assets available. You can do this by listing the value of your whole life insurance policy, your 401(k) and other retirement accounts. By highlighting these assets, you help the lender see that you have the money available if you are unable to make your payments.

Demonstrate Job Stability

If you have been working with the same company or within the same industry for several years, be sure to point that out on your loan application. Keller Williams Realtor Josh Anderson further illustrates, “If you have received regular pay raises, such as annual merit-pay increases or cost of living adjustments, you should point this out as well. The same is true of regular bonuses.” In other words, demonstrating that you are likely to receive future increases in income will help offset the lender’s concerns about possible increases in property taxes, utilities and other expenditures.

Show You Have Discipline

By saving money in a savings account or by contributing regularly to a retirement account, you can demonstrate to the lender that you have the discipline, stability and consistency to responsible with your home loan.

Stay in One Place

If you have remained in the same home for at least three years, be sure to highlight this fact on your loan application. Lenders want to know that you won’t be a flight risk and that you can commit yourself to a home or community. By demonstrating that you can stay in one place for a period of time, you can increase your chance of gaining approval for a loan.

Save a Large Down Payment

While it is possible to obtain a mortgage loan with a down payment of as little 3.5 percent if you get an FHA loan, you will significantly increase the lender’s confidence in your ability to repay a loan if you save a much larger down payment. Generally speaking, you should save at least 10 percent of the home’s cost for your down payment, but you will increase your chances of being approved if you save well beyond this amount. If you can’t come up with all of the money on your own, look into the down payment assistance programs that may be available in your area.

Be Reasonable

When choosing the home that you want to buy, be reasonable in terms of how much you can afford. You may have to start off with something that is a bit smaller than what you want, but you can always move up to something bigger and better later.

Back Your Claims

Simply telling the lender that you were never late on rent or other obligations is not going to be enough to get your loan approved. Instead, bring proof to back up your claims. This may be in the form of bank statements, canceled checks and receipts.

About The Author – Deb Henne writes for http://realestatemkting.com/, drawing from her numerous years of experience as a real estate agent.

Buyer Tips: Deciding How Much Home You Can Afford

In today’s economy, a growing number of homebuyers are interested in simply purchasing Warner Robins homes they need to suit their lifestyle and future plans rather than viewing the purchase as an investment toward their future. For this reason, most buyers want to know how much home they can afford to purchase without putting themselves in a difficult financial position. “While the general rule of thumb is that most homebuyers can afford to purchase a home that costs anywhere from two to two-and-a-half times their gross annual income,” explains Bethesda Realtor Kevin Koitz, “there are many other factors that should be considered when deciding how much home you can afford.

Looking at it from the Lender’s Perspective

While you may feel comfortable spending a certain amount of money toward the purchase of a home, you also need to consider whether or not you will actually qualify for a loan. When determining whether or not you qualify, lenders consider two things: the front-end ratio and the back-end ratio.

Also referred to as the housing expense ratio, the front-end ratio is a figure that represents the percentage of your gross monthly income that will go toward repayment of your mortgage loan. In general, lenders want this figure to be less than 28 percent, although some may allow it to be 30 percent or higher. Finding a lender who is willing to accept a ratio of 40 percent or higher in today’s economy can be quite difficult, if not impossible.

The back-end ratio, also known as the debt-to-income ratio, is a figure that represents the percentage of your gross monthly income that will go toward paying all of your debts .This includes your mortgage as well as car loans, student loans, credit cards, child support and other forms of debt. Most lenders will want this figure to be less than 36 percent, though others will allow it to be 40 percent or more.

Exploring Loan Options

When determining how much you can afford for a home, you also need to consider the various loan programs that are available. In the most general terms, there are three options available: conventional, FHA and VA.

Most homebuyers choose to obtain a conventional loan, which generally requires a down payment of at least 10 percent and may require a down payment of up to 20 percent. You will also need to have a solid credit score to obtain this type of loan. FHA loans, which are issued through the Federal Housing Administration, require down payments as low as 3.5 percent and typically offer more flexibility in terms of the credit score. Those who are currently serving or who have previously served in the military may qualify for a VA loan, which is issued through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These loans do not require a down payment and you will not be required to obtain private mortgage insurance.

Considering Other Costs

Many potential homebuyers fail to consider the other costs that are associated with home ownership. When obtaining a mortgage loan, for example, you will find that you have to pay costs in addition to the price of the home. These include taxes, insurance and closing costs. Other expenses to consider include maintenance costs, association fees, utilities, furniture and other costs.

About The Author – Ray Nemec is a real estate agent and blogger.

Buyer Tips: Hidden Home Buying Costs

For many Warner Robins first-time homebuyers, the hidden costs associated with buying a home can be quite a shock. While you may be prepared to repay your mortgage loan and the interest that is associated with it, you may not be prepared to pay the other costs that come with buying a home. Therefore, before making a purchase, it is important to learn as much as possible about the other costs that are associated with purchasing a home.

Closing Costs

Whether you are buying a house, a condo or a co-op, you can expect to pay closing costs as part of your purchase. Each lender has different fees that are included in the closing costs, so make sure to ask about these costs and what each of these fee covers.

Attorney’s Fees

Oftentimes, an attorney is included in the process of purchasing a home. While their fees are often fixed, some fees are negotiable. You should find out upfront what the attorney’s fees will be so you can compare the fees of various attorneys. In general, an attorney who tries to charge by the hour should be avoided, as it is relatively simple work.

Appraisal Costs

A real estate appraisal will give you a clear idea of the actual value of the property. While these fees can vary quite a bit from one market to the next, they typically cost anywhere from $400 to $500 to complete. Be sure to find a reputable appraiser in order to get the most reliable report.

Inspection Fees

Before you finalize your contract to purchase the home, you will need to have the home inspected. During this process, the inspector will thoroughly check the foundation, the structure, the electrical and plumbing systems, and all other aspects of the home to determine their condition. Brian Kinkade of coloradoluxurycondos.com/ points out, “If the inspection is done poorly, you could find yourself unexpectedly paying thousands of dollars toward repairs.” The inspection itself, however, should only cost anywhere from $300 to $400.

HOA Fees

If you choose to purchase a condo or to live in certain communities, you will need to pay homeowner association fees as part of your residency. In some cases, you may also be charged an additional maintenance charge, so be sure to learn about these fees and to budget accordingly.

Utility Charges

As a homeowner, you will find yourself responsible for paying all of your utility charges. These typically include costs such as water, gas, electricity, cable or satellite, phone and trash collection. These bills can add up to hundreds of dollars every month, so be sure to research the municipality to get a clear idea of how much you can expect to pay toward these expenses each month.

About the Author – Ted Whitt is a Realtor who writes for myagenthandbook.com in his spare time.

Home Security Systems – Warner Robins GA

Whether you are considering buying a new home or already own one, one of the most important things you can do to protect it and those living inside, is to invest in a home security system.  It does not matter if you live in Warner Robins GA,  Philadelphia PA, or a Boulder CO neighborhood, crime happens everywhere and usually without warning.  Short of barring up all your windows and installing intricate laser beams, there is no way to 100% guarantee that your home will not fall victim to a crime.  Of course, the best way to prevent and be prepared for any such incident is to foresee all potential threats and try to avoid them.

Hiring a professional company to design a security system specific to your needs, is the most effective way to safeguard your home.  Many people have the misconception that it is very costly to install a home security system through a professional company.  The truth is that it can be pricey if you have elaborate needs, but for most homes that only require a standard level of security, it is actually quite affordable.  If you consider the financial and emotional costs a break-in or home invasion generates, a monthly payment of about $40 is definitely worth it.

Companies like ADT, Guardian, and Front Point are some of the most well-known in the industry, although there are many fantastic local companies as well.  If you do choose to go with a local company, be sure to get references and use one that is trusted or is part of the BBB.  The services that home security companies offer vary a bit, but most include alarm systems, mobile control systems, video surveillance, carbon monoxide detection, fire and smoke detection, access control, medial alert systems, and monitoring services.

When you invest in your home’s security you are not only investing in your family’s well being, but you are actually adding to the value of your home.  With that being said, even the best security systems are worthless if they are not activated or are being used incorrectly.  This is why having a professional consult in regards to implementing your  personal security system and plan is very important.  Simple things like making sure your doors and windows are locked, and turning on security lights when you are away, will greatly affect the success of your system.  Likewise, potential threats to your home exist outside of your physical property, and extend to your car and personal items in public places.  For more information about protecting your home, we highly suggest getting in contact with a professional security company today!

This article post was brought to you by www.BoulderHomeSource.com.

Home Security Systems – Warner Robins GA

Buyer Tips: Find the Right Home with the Help of a Buyer Checklist

Are you ready to purchase a home? If homeownership is in your future, there are several things you need to be sure to address before finalizing your purchase. By following this buyer checklist, you will be sure to get the right Warner Robins home to suit your needs at the best price possible

Preparing the Finances

“Before you even start looking at homes, you first need to make sure your finances are in proper order,” states Realtor Eric Bramlett. If your credit history is poor or if you are already struggling to pay your monthly bills, now certainly is not the right time for you to buy a home. Instead, you should be working toward repairing your credit history and accumulating the funds necessary for a down payment.

Choosing the Right Neighborhood

If your finances are in order, you should then look for the right neighborhood to suit your needs. When choosing a neighborhood, be sure to consider your current situation as well as your future plans. If you are planning to have a family or if you are pursuing a job in a particular area, these factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing the right location and amenities for your unique needs.

Deciding What You Need in a Home

After narrowing down the neighborhoods where you would like to live, you then need to determine what you need a home. Remember, what you need and what you want may not be one in the same. For example, while you may want an in-ground swimming pool, the cost and time associated with maintaining a pool may not work well within your lifestyle. Furthermore, certain amenities and features will significantly drive up the cost of the home. Therefore, you should make a list of the things you need as well as a list of those things you want. This way, you can better prioritize what you are looking for in a home while also more effectively communicating with a real estate agent.

Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Finally, you should hire a qualified real estate agent who has experience with helping people purchase homes in the neighborhood where you wish to live. By hiring an experienced real estate agent, you can be sure he or she will have the professional connections necessary to assist you with completing your inspection and with hiring other professionals that may be necessary to assist with closing on your new home. Consulting with these professionals will ensure you obtain the best deal as you find the home of your dreams.

Buyer Tips: What is a Spec House?

Are you interested in purchasing a new home? If so, you might want to give serious consideration to purchasing a spec house. While you will not have as much flexibility in terms of deciding upon the features that will be included in the house, purchasing a spec house can be a great way to save money and to move-in to your new home more quickly.

When it comes to purchasing a brand new home, the process can be quite time consuming. Not only do you need to look through all of your options and meet with the builder in order to design your final plan, but the process of building a home can take several months to complete. In the meantime, you are left with finding some place to live while your new home is being built. While this may not be a problem for some people, it can be quite inconvenient and even costly for others.

If you want to save time and money on a new home, purchasing a spec home might be the answer you are looking for. Also referred to as move-in ready homes, immediate delivery homes, featured homes or inventory homes, spec homes are those that the builder designs and constructs on his own. When building spec homes, the builder selects those features that he believes potential buyers will be the most interested in having. In other words, he “speculates” on what he thinks buyers will want in a home. The builder then begins constructing the home with no buyer in place, as he is confident someone will be interested in purchasing the home after it is complete.

Depending upon when you place your bid on a spec home, you may be able to provide minimal input into some of its features. For example, if you purchase the home while it is still being built, you may be able to choose from a predetermined list of cabinetry finishes, carpet colors or flooring. The amount of options you have available to you will be largely dependent upon the stage of construction as well as the builder’s discretion.

Since the builder begins the process of constructing a spec home before he has a buyer in place, you can move into one of these homes far more quickly than you would if you were purchasing a new home that was being built from scratch. While there may still be a short wait as the builder completes the finishing touches, it will be a fraction of the amount of time you would have to wait when building a home from scratch.

About The Author – Eric Bramlett specializes in Westlake Hills and Austin luxury real estate. Stay up to date on Westlake homes at http://westlake360.com.